County continue our FA Cup adventure this Friday night with a huge test away at League One leaders Rotherham United, as we look to secure a place in the Third Round of the cup for the second successive season.
After beating Stamford in the Qualifying Round, we booked our place in the second round by beating another League One side, Bolton, in that famous night at Edgeley Park just a few weeks ago. We have won every game in the league since that night, with last Saturday’s 4-1 win at Wealdstone moving us to within six points of league leaders Chesterfield.
Rotherham meanwhile booked their place in the Second Round by beating an in-form Bromley side 3-0 at the New York Stadium, and currently sit top of League One – making them the highest ranked side at this stage of the competition, as they look to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.
Our Opponents:
The Millers are in the form of their life at the minute, quite literally, as their penalty shootout victory over Port Vale in the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday night extended their unbeaten run to a new club record 17 games in all competitions.
Their last defeat came at home to Fleetwood Town in early September – since then, they have won 12 of 17 in this extraordinary run to lift them to the summit of League One, above Wigan Athletic and Wycombe Wanderers on goal difference, albeit having played one game more than the former.
Promotion from the Third Tier has become something of a speciality for the Yorkshire side in recent years, having managed to do so in the last three seasons they’ve spent in League One, starting in 2014.
The last two of those promotions have come under their current manager and former midfielder Paul Warne; in charge since November 2016 having originally taking over as interim manager following the departure of Kenny Jackett.
It’s been a topsy turvy few years since then for Rotherham, as each of the five season that have passed since have seen the club either relegated from the Championship or promoted from League One, as they have continued to yo-yo between the second and third division.
Their place in the league table, and average of two points per game so far this season, suggests they’re well on-track to continue that trend this season too as we enter the festive period.
Their form so far this season has come from being extremely effective in both boxes – only Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Wolves have conceded fewer than their 13 goals in the top four divisions of English Football, whilst they are also the third highest scorers in League One so far with 34.
The form of former Bury striker Michael Smith has been so crucial to their success too; having hit ten goals in the Championship last season, the 30-year-old has scored 12 in 18 League One games so far this campaign, with only Morecambe forward Cole Stockton scoring more. He is part of a lethal front line for Rotherham, that also includes forwards Freddie Ladapo and Will Grigg.
Warne’s side will know all about the opportunities that a place in Round Three of the FA Cup can bring a club too, having faced Everton at Goodison Park at that stage last season, taking them to extra-time before eventually losing 2-1. Only once in Paul Warne’s time as manager of the Club have the Millers not been in the Third Round of the competition, but they have so far failed to advance beyond that stage.
Match Stats:
- This will be our first competitive meeting with Rotherham since a 4-0 defeat away from home in 2011. Our last victory against the Millers came in February 2008, where a Tommy Rowe hattrick helped County to a 4-1 away win.
- In 63 previous meetings with Rotherham in all competitions, County just about have the historical edge, with 25 wins to their 23.
- Scott Quigley has four goals in his three FA Cup appearances so far this season, and seven in his last ten appearances. Ollie Crankshaw meanwhile, has now scored eight and assisted two in his first 12 appearances for the club.
- The last time County reached the FA Cup Third Round in successive seasons came back in 2005/06 and 2006/07, with ties against Brentford and Watford
